Tool for manipulating electric lamp bulbs



May 10, 1938. G. R. CHADSEY TOOL FOR MANIPULATING ELECTRIC LAMP BULBSFiled Dec. 1, 1957 L M um I W. NE)

Patented May 10, 1938 l TOOL FOR MANIPULATINGELECTRIO i BULBS George R.Ghadsey, East Hampton, Conn. Application December 1, 1937, Serial No.177,422

7 Claims.

My invention relates to the class of devices above named, and an objectof my invention, among others, isto provide a device of this kind thatshall be simple in construction and particularly eflicient in operation.

One form of a device embodying my invention and in the construction anduse of which the objects herein set out, as well as others, may beattained is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which Figure l isa view in side elevation of my improved electric lamp bulb manipulatingtool.

Figure 2 is an end view of the tool. l l i Figure 3 is a view inlengthwise central section through the tool illustrating its manner ofuse for application toa bulb.

Figure 4 is a similar view illustrating the tool as about tobe appliedto a broken bulb.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing the lamp socket insection and the tool applied to a broken bulb.

Figure 6 is a View of that end of the tool opposite to that shown inFig. 2.

Means employed for illuminating purposes at the present time involve theuse of incandescent lamp bulbs in elevated positions out of reach andrequiring the use of step-ladders or special tools for afiixing thebulbs and for removing and replacing broken or burned out bulbs as wellas for changing bulbs for various purposes. I am aware that tools havebeen employed for such purposes but such tools have lacked thepossibility of meeting all of the conditions that may arise in suchcases. It is therefore my aim to provide a tool which will meet all ofsuch conditions and which may be effectually used for attachment tobulbs to affix or remove them, whether the bulb be broken or not, suchtool being shown in the accompanying drawing in which the numeral 6denotes the shank or body of the device that is preferably round incross section and that is preferably composed of rubber or otherflexible elastic material having the characteristics of such rigidity asto effect its purpose but which at the same time shall be suificientlysoft to stretch or yield and to exert a clinging or gripping action on abulb when engaged with it. A hole 1 is formed through this shank and abell-shaped gripper 8 is preferably integrally formed at one endthereof, this gripper being of a size to receive lamp bulbs 9.

The opposite end ID of the shank is formed to engage within the socketor shell I I of an electric lamp when the bulb has been broken, as shownin Figs. 4 and 5, the filament support l5 of the bulbbeing enteredintothe hole I at this end of the shank, which hole is somewhat smaller thanthe filament support but which will stretch to receive it and then exerta gripping action on it by reason of its elasticity; This end of thetool 5 is also tapered, as shown, so that it maybeforced into thesocket, as shown in. Fig; 5-,.the elasticity of the material exerting a.yielding contact to enable this end tobe forced into the socket and toexert a. gripping hold on the inside of the broken part of the bulb.This tapered end is also corrugated, providing ribs I2 to enable afirm-'griplof; this end of: the tool within the socket of the broken;bulb. i I

A handle l3is provided of a length to enable the tool to be engaged withbulbs at such heights as may be desired, this handle having a pin M tobe entered into the hole 1 of the shank or body. This pin is somewhatlarger than said hole so that when it is forced into the hole a grippingaction 20 will be exerted on the pin owing to the elasticity of thematerial of the body.

In afiixing an unbroken bulb the shank 6 is placed upon the pin with thebell-shaped gripper at the outer end and the bulb is placed within thegripper which is caused to adhere thereto. The tool being now raised toproper position the lamp may be readily screwed into the socket. If anunbroken bulb is tobe removed the tool is affixed to the pin in the samemanner and is raised to engage the bulb. Pressure upwardly on the handlewill enable a firm grip upon a lamp bulb to be obtained sufficient toreadily effect its removal.

If the bulb be broken then the tool is placed upon the pin in a positionreversed from that just described and the tapered end In may be thrustinto the socket of the broken bulb and into the broken portion of thebulb, as shown in Figure 5. In this case the handle I3 is forcedupwardly and the filament support I5 is engaged within the hole 1 in theshank or body 6 and the tapered and ribbed end I0 is forced into thesocket ll of the lamp, the elasticity of the rubber causing aneflfective grip upon the broken lamp parts sufiicient to enable them tobe readily removed.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes I havedescribed the principles of operation of my invention, together with thedevice which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof;but I desire to have it understood that the device shown is onlyillustrative and that the invention may be carried out by other meansand applied to uses other than those above set out.

I claim:

1. A tool for manipulating electric lamp bulbs and comprising a shankhaving a hole extending inwardly from each end, a bell-shaped gripper atone end of said shank, a broken bulb remover at the opposite endthereof, and a handle having a pin formed for insertion in either end ofsaid shank.

2. A tool for manipulating electric lamp bulbs and comprising a shankhaving a hole extending inwardly from each end, a bell-shaped gripper atone end of the shank, a broken bulb remover at the opposite end of theshank and comprising said hole arranged to receive and grip the filamentsupport of a lamp, and a handle having a pin formed for insertion ineither end of said shank.

3. A tool for manipulating electric lamp bulbs and comprising a shankhaving a hole extending inwardly from each end, a bell-shaped gripper atone end of the shank, a broken bulb remover at the opposite end of theshank and comprising a tapered end shaped for insertion within a lampsocket or broken bulb, and a handle having a pin formed for insertion ineither end of said shank.

4. A tool for manipulating electric lamp bulbs and comprising a shankhaving a hole extending inwardly from each end, a bell-shaped gripper atone end of the shank out of which said hole opens, a broken bulb removerat the opposite end of the shank shaped to engage a lamp socket orbroken bulb, and a handle of a size for location of its end within saidbell-shaped gripper and having a pin projecting therefrom and shaped forinsertion in either end of said shank.

5. A tool for manipulating electric lamp bulbs and comprising a shankcomposed of elastic material having a hole extending inwardly from eachend thereof to exert a grip upon a pin thrust therein, a bell-shapedgripper composed of elastic material to exert a grip upon a lamp bulband located at one end of the shank, a broken bulb remover of elasticmaterial at the opposite end of the shank, and a handle having a pinprojecting from its end and formed for insertion in either end of thehole in said shank.

6. A tool for manipulating electric lamp bulbs and comprising a shankhaving a hole extending through it from end to end, a bell-shapedgripper at one end of the shank, a tapered ribbed end at the oppositeend of the shank, and a handle having a pin projecting from its endlarger than said hole and formed for insertion in one end thereof forsupport of said tool by said handle.

7. A tool for manipulating electric lamp bulbs and comprising a shankhaving a hole extending therethrough from end to end, a bell-shapedgripper composed of elastic material at one end of the shank from withinwhich said hole opens, a broken bulb remover composed of elasticmaterial at the opposite end of the shank shaped to engage a lamp socketor broken bulb therein, and a handle adapted for insertion in saidbellshaped gripper and having a pin larger than said hole and projectingtherefrom for entry into either end of said hole for support of theremover by said handle.

GEORGE R. CHADSEY.

